Newark archbishop slowly recovers from eye surgery

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerArchbishop John Myers reads from the pulpit during the inauguration mass of Governor-Elect Chris Christie and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Kim Guadagno held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart Newark, in this 2010 photo.

NEWARK — Newark Archbishop John J. Myers has been slow in recovering from two eye operations, but is improving and actively in charge of archdiocese operations, a spokesman said.

Myers, who turns 70 next month, has missed several conferences and events since needing surgery for detached retinas in both eyes in March. But he did attend the Archdiocese of Newark’s Eighth Convocation of Priests on Sunday, the start of a three-day event in Woodcliff Lake.

"His spirits are great and he’s as sharp as ever, if not sharper," said James Goodness, an archdiocese spokesman. "It’s just been a matter of letting the healing of two eye surgeries take its course."

Goodness said much of the recuperation for the operations required Myers to lay on his back at his residence next to Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, and take various medications.

As a result, Myers was unable to attend a fundraiser for the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark in early April and the Seton Hall University’s commencement on May 16. Myers also missed the Archdiocese of Newark’s priest ordinations on May 28 and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Seattle two weeks ago.

Goodness said that since the operations, Myers’ eyesight is "better than it was beforehand."

Myers, who was installed as Newark’s fifth archbishop in 2001, is now taking regular part in organizational meetings.

"The summer usually has a reduced schedule, so he’ll be able to further go through some healing and recovery," Goodness said.